Communication Scholars Urge Media Experts to Incorporate More Technology into Their Practices

Communication Scholars Urge Media Experts to Incorporate More Technology into Their Practices

As the world continues to shift towards the proliferation of information and technology, the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) has urged media practitioners and communication experts to incorporate technological advancements such as Open Artificial Intelligence into their practices. This is contained in a communiqué issued by the association signed by its

As the world continues to shift towards the proliferation of information and technology, the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) has urged media practitioners and communication experts to incorporate technological advancements such as Open Artificial Intelligence into their practices.

This is contained in a communiqué issued by the association signed by its General Secretary, Prof Nosa Owens-Ibie, after its 10th annual conference, held between September 6 and 7 at the Kanem Suites in Abuja with the theme “Digital Communication Agenda and Nigeria’s Transformation.” The Association also honoured the late Professor Lai Oso, who was the association’s founding president during the event.

According to the communiqué, media experts and scholars from inside and outside of Nigeria attended the two-day conference. The ACSPN president, Professor Umaru Pate, gave the opening address, and other dignitaries spoke on various subjects related to communication and media development in Africa.

The ACSPN and the participants acknowledged in the communiqué the development of digital trends in journalism around the world and the need for Nigeria’s tertiary education body to incorporate technology into their teaching methodology. They also added that communication scholars must strengthen their capacities to operate within the new realities.

The participant also noted that the emergence of social media has allowed for the spread of false information, calling on media professionals and scholars to sanitise the media landscape, particularly as the general public now relies on online information due to its pervasive impatience.

They also observed an increase in sensitive issues such as vituperations and weaponization of ethnic and tribal wars in Nigeria’s digital engagements as a result of the advancement of the internet, which could impede the country’s development.

“Communication scholars must continue to enhance their capacity to be able to train future digital communication professionals in the face of the dynamics in the sector. ACSPN will continue to collaborate with the leadership of professional bodies in the sector to eliminate imposters and sanitise the profession Proliferation of digital technologies and social media provides opportunities for transnational engagements and promotion of cultural heritage in online communities the citizenry over relies on information from online sources which are often unreliable, and this continues to misinform and disinform the citizenry.

“The citizenry have become impatient in consuming and sharing information online, which is a major contributor to the virulent circle of unverified information. There is a prevalent unethical use of digital communication technology which violate the rights of minors, especially on social media. Social media regulation is challenging, and the government has to device a means of social media governance”, the communique partly stated.

Addressing the invention of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on digital communication and technology, they submitted that the Al provides opportunities to build new ethical guidelines and develop new creative skillsets for media practitioners.

They however called on the countries in the Africa continent to develop the legislation of the Artificial Intelligence in the continent, noting that only three countries have achieved that in the continent.

The participants, therefore, resolved that “Communication scholars and practitioners should offer relevant and significant contributions to guide government in terms of policy formulation and implementation in the area of digital communication. The ACSPN and other communication and media related associations shall scholarship in Nigeria and globally. 2. Coexist and collaborate to promote communication professionalism and 3. Ethics and quality of research and publications should be prioritized to enhance the contributions of scholars and professionals to media and communication practice.

“Communication scholars in Nigeria should increase their visibility on the digital space through research in high quality journals and other digital publications. African countries should be proactive in developing Al Legislations to address emerging challenges associated with Al as a global trend.

“Nigeria should develop an evolving Al legislation while striking a balance between regulating digital environments and ensuring freedom of speech. There is need to bridge the gaps between scholars and media practitioners in terms of experience on emerging digital technologies and developments to enhance training, teaching and capacity building, Ethics and quality should be prioritized in research and publications.

The communique further reads: “ACSPN will partner with the relevant professional bodies in the media and communication industry to ensure that only duly certified persons shall practice as experts in their respective fields African countries should integrate their indigenous cultural materials into Al .Actors in the digital space should ensure that digital engagements are devoid of misinformation and disinformation.

“The media industry should adopt new technologies to enhance professionalism and explore opportunities as apprehension towards new technologies is normal. Educational institutions and other stakeholders in the media and communication industry should provide resources for communication educators to enhance teaching and productivity in scholarship and media practice. Communication training institutions should develop new mindsets by using AI for teaching assessments, virtual tutoring, teaching evaluation, and other opportunities. Stakeholders in the Nigerian digital space should not prioritize aesthetics over accuracy and correctness of information in the digital media space.”

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